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Pituitary Tumors

Definition

Pituitary tumors form in the pituitary gland (a pea-sized organ in the center of the brain above the back of the nose). The pituitary gland makes hormones that affect other glands and many body functions, especially growth. Most pituitary tumors are benign (not cancer).

Getting Diagnosed / Treatment

Pituitary tumors in adults (and in some case, young adults/children) are treated in the Pituitary and Neuroendocrine Center.

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Pituitary tumors have three types:

Any of the above types may be either functioning (they make pituitary hormones),or nonfunctioning (they do not make pituitary hormones). Each type of functioning tumor causes different symptoms, depending on the type of hormone that is being made by the tumor. If the tumor becomes large enough to press on nearby areas of the brain. other symptoms can occur. A doctor should be seen if there are symptoms such as these:

• Headaches.
• Trouble seeing or moving the eyes.
• Vomiting.

If there are symptoms, a health care provider may order laboratory tests to see what the hormone levels are in the blood. An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan or other special x-rays may be done.

Treatment Options

There are three treatment types available for all patients with pituitary tumors.

• Surgery (removing the tumor during an operation).
• Radiation therapy.
• Drug therapy.

Surgery is the most common treatment of pituitary tumors.

For more information, please see Pituitary Tumors (PDQ®): Treatment page on the National Cancer Institute's website.

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